Iowa MarketReady, a new program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Value Added Agriculture Program, offers farmers the support and education to succeed in both local retail and wholesale markets.

John Lawrence has been reappointed to a second five-year term as associate dean for extension in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director for agriculture and natural resources for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Manure applicator certification workshops for dry/solid manure operators will be held in February. These workshops meet manure applicator certification requirements for both confinement site manure applicators and commercial manure applicators who primarily apply dry or solid manure.

The parenting dance is the mix between the child’s natural style, or temperament, and the parent’s approach and response. Find suggestions for successful “dancing” in the Science of Parenting blog from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Iowa pork producers are invited to learn more about disease preparedness and traceability, development and implementation of common industry audits, and swine health research at 2015 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences.

The professional development journey of Iowa’s women in agriculture comes with specific needs. ISU Extension and Outreach offices throughout the state offer a variety of Annie’s Project courses to meet those needs.

Iowans will learn how to maximize their resources and share their extras during the 2015 Eco Family Project from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Registration is now open for the project, which begins March 19 and runs through June 11.

Designed for beginning crop scouts, ISU Extension and Outreach's Field Crop Scout School features sessions on crop growth and development, weed, disease and insect identification, and scouting methods and techniques.

Crop producers can continue discussions about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction strategy and local watershed improvement, learn more about best practices for reducing nutrient loss into Iowa’s waterways, and talk to farmers who are implementing practices at upcoming events.

Emerald Ash Borer has been positively identified in the Iowa community of Hedrick in Keokuk County. A statewide quarantine remains in place and restricts the movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states.